AAPP’s Newsletter for October 2018
TRAININGS
Human Rights, Documentation of Human Rights Violations, and Transitional Justice Training Held in Kachin State
Figure 1 TJ Training in Moe Kaung
As a part of the series of regular Human Rights, Documentation of Human Rights Violations, and Transitional Justice Training, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) (AAPP) held two long trainings in the month of October. A 12-day training from October 5-16 was organized in Mogaung Township, Kachin State and a 12-day training from October 7-18 was organized in Hopin Town, Kachin State.
The 12-day training from October 5-16 was administered by AAPP’s Human Rights Trainer, Ko Aung Thein Kyi, and Human Rights Documentation, and Transitional Justice Trainer, Ko Sai Myint Thu. A total of 29 people (14 women and 15 men) participated in the training. Participants included members of Thet Tant Yaun Sin Youth Welfare, Roman Catholic (RC) Youths, Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) Youths, Youths affairs, Shanni Youths, Shanni Literature and Culture and Khanti Shan Literature and Culture and civilians and they are Shan, Shanni, Kachin, Khanti Shan and Burmese backgrounds. Mogaung Township faces not only bribery but also human rights organizations of ethnic armed groups.
The 12-day training from October 7-18 , the training was administered by AAPP’s Human Rights Trainer, Ko Saw Than Hlaing, Transitional Justice Trainer Ko Wunna Nwe and Human Rights Documentation Trainer Ko Myo Tun. A total of 30 people (12 women and 18 men) participated in the training. Participants are civilians, Shanni Youths, members of Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC), Anglican, ICM and RCM Christinities, Shan Literature and Culture and A Phyu Yaung Nyimya Seint Group. They all are Shan, Burmese, Shan, Shani and Kachin. Hopin Town faces land confiscation, forced labour, rape cases and tortures.
These trainings served as capacity building measures, aiming to encourage and inform the participants about democratic principles and help them protect their human rights.
Thirteen Lectures on Human Rights Provided to Students in Mon State
Figure 2 HR Lecture (B.E.H.S Kalwee in Chaungzon Township)
In October, AAPP provided a total of 13 lectures in 13 basic education high schools, in four basic education high schools in Chaungzun Township and nine lectures in nine basic education high schools in Ye Township. A total of 4,100 students attended the lectures.
AAPP representatives, Ko Aung Myo Kyaw, Ko Wanna Nwe and Ko Kyaw Oo gave an introduction of AAPP and its activities and purpose of lecture. Ko Wanna Nwe, Ko Kyaw Oo, Ko Phyo Swe Maung and Ko Than Htike Win addressed lectures. During our discussion, we showed powerpoint presentations about the 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and responsibility and accountability and there were questions and answers with students. Then, we showed short cartoon about discrimination, discipline and showed short films to students about how they should try to reach their goal and persevere when they are on their journey of life and then discussed with them. Moreover, we delivered the disadvantage of drug use and students asked the questions.
At the end of each presentation, AAPP distributed Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) pamphlets to raise awareness amongst the participants.
ADVOCACY AND LOBBYING
General Secretary of The Swedish Foundation for Human Rights Visited AAPP’s Museum
Figure 3 Museum visit with General Secretary of The Swedish Foundation for Human Rights
On October 17, Ms. Ulrika Strand, a general secretary of the Swedish Foundation for Human Rights, visited AAPP’s museum exhibition “Memory of the Past.” After that, AAPP’s Secretary U Tate Naing, Mental Health Assistance Program (MHAP) Chief U Kyaw Soe Win and Officer In-Charge of the Documentation and Research Team/Deputy Foreign Affairs Ko Zaw Moe met with her and discussed AAPP’s activities(Assistance Program, Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, Mental Health Assistance Program and Documentation and Research), current political conditions and human rights conditions in Burma.
PRLM Visited AAPP’s Museum
Figure 4 Showing PRML delegate the AAPP musuem
On October 17, Ms. Heather Goldsmith, Promoting the Rule of Law in Myanmar (PRLM), visited AAPP’s museum exhibition “Memory of the Past.” Then, AAPP’s Secretary U Tate Naing, Mental Health Assistance Program (MHAP) Chief U Kyaw Soe Win and Officer In-Charge of the Documentation and Research Team/Deputy Foreign Affairs Ko Zaw Moe held a meeting with her and discussed AAPP’s activities (Assistance Program, Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, Mental Health Assistance Program and Documentation and Research), current political situation and rule of law in Burma.
A Delegation Led by German Ambassador H.E. Ms. Dorothee Janetzke-Wenzel Visited AAPP
Figure 5 Meeting with German Ambassador H.E. Ms. Dorothee Janetzke Wenzel
On October 18, a delegation led by German Ambassador H.E. Ms. Dorothee Janetzke-Wenzel, Third Secretary Mr. Maik Fischer and Counselor Dr. Katharina Spiess visited the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) office in Rangoon and toured AAPP’s museum exhibition “Memory of the Past”. Mental Health Assistance Program (MHAP) Chief U Kyaw Soe Win and Officer In-Charge of the Documentation and Research Team/Deputy Foreign Affairs Ko Zaw Moe explained the exhibition and Burma’s political history to the delegation. After that, AAPP Secretary U Tate Naing, U Kyaw Soe Win and U Zaw Moe held a meeting with a group and discussed AAPP’s activities, Burma’s human rights conditions and political prisoners issues.
GENERAL ACTIVITIES
OMI Visited AAPP’s Museum in Rangoon
Figure 6 OMI participants visiting AAPP museum
On October 12, a total of 39 people from Loikaw and Demoso Townships in Kayah State, Mobye in Shan State, Sidoktaya, Minbu and Yenangyaung Townships in Magway Division, who attended Good Governance Training Alumni Workshop which was organized by Open Myanmar Initative (OMI), visited AAPP’s museum exhibition “Memory of the Past.” AAPP’s Rangoon Office Chief U Aung Myo Kyaw explained the exhibition and purposes of opening the museum.
Students From Taiwan Visited AAPP’s Mae Sot Office
Figure 7 Taiwanese students visting AAPP
On October 12, seven students led by the Tak Border Child Assistance Foundation visited the AAPP office in Mae Sot, Thailand. Ma Moe Pan Phyu from AAPP explained AAPP activities, and the conditions endured by political prisoners and the human rights siuation in Burma and answered questions from the students. After that, Ma Moe Pan Phyu explained the exhibition.
Participants from ND-Burma’s Advance Transitional Justice Training Visited AAPP’s Museum in Rangoon
Figure 8ND Burma TJ particpants visist AAPP musuem
On October 27, a total of 19 people, who attended ND-Burma’s Advance Transitional Justice Training, visited AAPP’s museum exhibition “Memory of the Past.” AAPP’s Mental Health Assistance Program (MHAP) Chief U Kyaw Soe Win explained the exhibition.
Provide Money Donated for Political Prisoner
On October 27, a group of former political prisoners from Insein prison went to the prison to provide money donated for political prisoners Naung Naung and Lay Lay on behalf of AAPP.
MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
CETA Counseling
October: (Women Vocational Training Center and Women Development Center)
Every Saturday and Sunday in September, five female counselors went to Women Vocational Training Center. In October, six clients completed their CETA counseling sessions and nine clients are receiving their counseling sessions.
Two female counselors went to the Women Development Center in Yangon to provide mental health counseling services. In October, three clients completed their CETA counseling sessions and three clients are receiving counseling.
October: (Hnget Aw Sann Youth Training Center (Juvenile Prison)
Every Monday in October, one Supervisor and five Counselors went to Hnget Aw Sann Youth Training Center (Juvenile Prison) to provide CETA mental health counseling services. In October,17 clients are receiving CETA mental health counseling services.
In October, AAPP-MHAP Yangon team counselors are also providing CETA mental health counseling services for former political prisoners and their family members, other vulnerable population in Yangon area.
A counselor from Magwe Region is providing CETA mental health counseling services for HIV patients in Nat Mauk and Taung Twin Gyi in Magwe Region.
A counselor from Bago Region is also providing CETA mental health counseling services for former political prisoners, their family members and other vulnerable populations in Bago area.
AAPP-MHAP Mandalay team counselors are also providing CETA mental health counseling services for former political prisoners and their family members, other vulnerable population in Mandalay area.
In October, AAPP-MHAP Mae Sot team provided CETA mental health counseling services for the migrant population, victims of human trafficking, and victims of the ongoing conflicts in Burma. In October, eight female and four male clients completed their CETA counseling sessions and 23 female and 13 male clients continued their counseling sessions.
Provide Mental Health Awareness and Self Care Training
Figure 9 Self Care training in Ho Pin
On the 11 of October, AAPP-MHAP trainer Trainer Ko Htin Aung visited to Mogaung Township in Kachin State for mental health awareness and self-care training on AAPP’s Human Rights, Human Rights Documentation and Transitional Justice training. 21 participants attended the training.
On the 13 of October, AAPP-MHAP Trainer Ko Htin Aung visited to Hopin in Kachin State for mental health awareness and self-care training on AAPP’s Human Rights, Human Rights Documentation and Transitional Justice training. 22 participants attended the training.
For more information:
Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP)
Tate Naing (Secretary) +66 (0) 812 878 751
Aung Myo Kyaw (RGN Office Incharge ) +95(0) 42811 7348
AAPP’s Newsletter for Oct 2018 October Newsletter
